Crisis brews in Nigeria table tennis ahead of September 10 election

Contestants and representatives of the Technical and Players’ arm of the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) have raised alarm over what they described as plans to manipulate the forthcoming federation election scheduled for September 10 in Lagos.

In a petition addressed to Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Shehu Dikko, and received by the commission on August 28, 2025, the group alleged that the NTTF leadership was attempting to alter the electoral process in violation of established practices.

The petitioners, led by Technical North Central representative, Kehinde Aiyelabegan, argued that the leadership’s decision to allow “unrestricted voting without approval letters from State Sports Directors” undermines the integrity of the election.

They recalled that past elections had been transparent and peaceful, with two representatives from each state, including the Federal Capital Territory, participating strictly on the basis of signed approval from their state directors of sports. According to them, the practice is in line with global standards of credible representation.

“The current leadership’s plan to hold the election in Lagos on September 10, without adherence to established protocols, raises serious concerns about the credibility of the exercise, which could open the door to manipulation,” the petition stated.

The group urged the NSC chairman to intervene urgently to ensure the process is credible. They made two specific demands: that the election be moved to Abuja under proper supervision, and that voting strictly follow the traditional method of two approved representatives per state and the FCT, backed by signed letters from the respective directors of sports.

The petition concluded with a call for swift action: “We look forward to your favorable intervention to protect the integrity of table tennis elections in Nigeria.”

Abuja stakeholders say the outcome of the NSC’s response will determine whether the September 10 polls restore confidence in the federation or plunge Nigeria table tennis into deeper crisis.